has anyone's dc had the chicken pox vaccine?

[happynappies]

Was talking to my HV today about chicken pox - a couple of friends' dcs have had it recently, but touch wood my 18 month old dd has avoided it thus far. I was taking the approach that 'better to have it now than when she's older' and 'if she gets it she gets it' - and while not going out of my way to see that she gets chicken pox, I was also not being too avoidant of it either iykwim. She (HV) said that it is a horrendous illness, and I should not be so laidback about it, and should consider the chicken pox vaccine. I'd never heard of it - but she said it is avaiable at GP surgery - it is just not part of the vaccination schedule (yet) although it is in parts of Asia. I was surprised as I'd never heard of the vaccine, and wondered if other peoples dc have had it, and are there any disadvantages to be aware of. Sorry for needlessly long post!

Who was that, Wellie mum?

Absoloutely welliemum

Having a child who did have a catastrophic reaction to a vaccine I have ended up doing all sorts of risk evaluations for all my children and I researched long and hard but the truth is it is always frankly a best guess.

In general I just wish that there were less emotion on the issue because we parents burden ourselves enough as it is and couching the decision to vaccinate or not in emotive and absoloute terms just makes these issues harder.

'In general I just wish that there were less emotion on the issue because we parents burden ourselves enough as it is and couching the decision to vaccinate or not in emotive and absoloute terms just makes these issues harder.'
Well put pagwatch.
Totally agree welliemum, neither option is risk free.

stuffitllama, the article I mentioned was "Should the UK introduce varicella vaccine?" 2007;92;1051-1052; originally published online 8 Nov 2007; Arch. Dis. Child. Marion Roderick, Athimalaipet V Ramanan and Adam Finn. (AF is the corresponding author and was the name I recognised). I think you need a sub to access the whole thing.

It's a good, balanced overview I think. They point out that overall CP mortality rates in the USA have dropped by 66% since the vaccine was introduced, with mortality rates in the 1-4 year age group dropping by 92%. However they also talk about the potential disadvantages of a vaccination programme.

As I mentioned, they conclude that the UK is likely to benefit but that now is now the right time, because of low uptakes of MMR. However they say it that in the meantime, it would be a good idea to vaccinate any teenagers who haven't yet had CP. It all sounded quite sensible.

Agggghh, my typing! Should be "now is NOT the right time".

I couldn't agree more about the emotional aspects. I'm not a hugely guilt-ridden person generally but I feel really trapped by vaccine decisions: Since I have to decide either to vaccinate my children or not to, if something goes wrong it will then be my decision and my "fault".

(I know it's DH's decision too but as the sciency person I get final say so it ultimately what happens is my responsibility).

At some level I know that's nonsense - I just need to make the best decision I can at the time and what happens after that is luck of the draw - but it doesn't feel that way.

DS2 had it when he was 2 in Singapore, where it is also routinely given. He had recurrent severe asthma at that point and was on frequent courses of oral steroids, which can increase the risk of chickenpox.

Thank you welliemum.

I know what you mean I had those feelings too, like a sort of relief when you get it done and it's "out of your hands". But I didn't realise then that if something goes wrong with a vaccination it does not mean you will be supported. It is very very hard to get adverse vaccine reactions recognised as such, and parents are often blamed themselves for their poorly children. Look at all those MMR parents (including a barrister) who have all sorts of clinical, sub-clinical and videographic evidence all of it ignored or dismissed.

Anyway thanks for looking that up.

Not read all the replies, but had ds1 vaccinated in Asia when we were there as it was really going around and me never having had it was very concerned,cp in humid climate must be not fun at all!

Dr said it is most effective for 11 yrs (so really what I have done is potentially just postponed him from getting it maybe??)